Kuna, Idaho

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Kuna is a city in Ada County, Idaho, and part of the Boise metropolitan area. It had 24,011 residents in 2020 and is one of the fastest-growing places in the state, growing quickly since 2000.

The city started as a railroad stop and grew from there. The name Kuna has debated origins: some say it means “end of the trail,” while others trace it to a Shoshone word meaning “green leaf, good to smoke.” Kuna is known as the “Gateway to the Birds of Prey,” and the Western Heritage Historic Byway runs around many local historic sites.

Kuna sits about 18 miles southwest of downtown Boise. The city covers around 18 square miles, mostly land. South of Kuna are the Kuna Caves, a lava tube, and a small creek called Indian Creek runs through town and is used as an irrigation canal fed by the Boise River Diversion Dam. Indian Creek is a popular place for swimming in warmer months.

Economically, the 2020 census reported a median household income of about $68,000, with typical family incomes around $75,000. Poverty rates are relatively low, but there are variations by age group.

In 2010, Kuna had about 15,000 residents, with most people identifying as White and a growing number of families with children. The population was young, with a large share under 18 and a roughly equal gender split.

Kuna hosts several events. Kuna Days takes place on the first weekend in August, featuring vendors, live music, a kids’ carnival, a rubber duck race in Indian Creek, a BBQ fundraiser, a parade, a street dance, and fireworks. The Snake River Birds of Prey Festival occurs each year in mid‑May near the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, offering talks and tours about raptors and local history.

Nearby recognition includes the 1995 film Not This Part of the World, which was filmed near Kuna. In the city center lies Colonel Bernard Fisher Veteran’s Memorial Park, named for one of Kuna’s notable residents.